$390,000 worth of cocaine seized in I-12 traffic stop

HAMMOND - Louisiana State Police said a traffic stop on I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish Friday morning led to a pair of arrests and the seizure of more than $390,000 worth of cocaine.

According to LSP, a trooper pulled over a Chevrolet Sonic on I-12 east of I-55 shortly after 9 a.m. Friday for a traffic violation. While conducting the traffic stop, the investigating trooper became suspicious of suspect criminal activity and requested a warrant to search the vehicle.

Troopers said they searched the vehicle and found 13 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of $390,000 concealed in a "secret" compartment within the vehicle.

The driver, 42-year-old Luis Flores, of Pasadena, Texas, and his passenger, 37-year-old Irene Guzman, also from Pasadena, were both arrested and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail for felony possession of cocaine over 400 grams.